Wire stripper - nicking wire

[BurningTantalum]

I was issued with an AB Mk II when I started work in 1974. I managed to purloin another pair plus a couple of sets of spare jaws before I left the company. They have since been used daily all over the world, on everything from ribbon cable to panel wiring, and I still have a set of blades somewhere.
They are made in Malta and are still available, now orange instead of blue.
I have never found anything easier to use, although they are really getting to the end of their useful life. I was hoping that 'they would see me out' but this may not happen unless I get hit by a bus tomorrow.
Has anyone bought any recently?
The main downside is that they are made of aluminium - I did see something similar made of glass loaded plastic but don't recall a manufacturer.
BT

[MarkL]

I've had a pair of these Paladin Mini Stripax 1115 for several years now:

  http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Tools-1115P-Mini-Stripax/dp/B0000WUHM4

Outrageously expensive (about US$100), but they are best I've ever used.  They also have a larger version, the 1113, for larger gauge wires.

If you're trying to strip wire with a consistent size like wire-wrap wire, the Clauss No-Nik non-adjustable tools work well.  I think they are now owned by Ripley Miller Tools.  Use 0.012" for wire-wrap.

[robrenz]

Before we all reinvent the wheel lets remember these 2 threads 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/high-quality-wire-strippers-what-to-buy/msg176482/#msg176482

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/hakko-wire-stripper-frustration/msg96909/#msg96909

[nanofrog]

I did see something similar made of glass loaded plastic but don't recall a manufacturer.
BT

Perhaps these might be of interest.

Pressmaster
Jokari
Weidmuller

[neslekkim]

Before we all reinvent the wheel lets remember these 2 threads 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/high-quality-wire-strippers-what-to-buy/msg176482/#msg176482

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/hakko-wire-stripper-frustration/msg96909/#msg96909

People don't even read this thread when answering, the funny thing is that there are in general 3-4 types of strippers that are repeated many times, yes, different manufacturers, but still the same brands..

[BurningTantalum]

Thanks Nanofrog,
I looked at all of the links on the post: Re your links - The Weidmuller appears to have two opposing notched blades.
The Stripax model may be what I'm looking for.
 The AB system uses two opposing straight 'blades' that actually consist of about 35 separate 'teeth' on each. These are pivotted at the back end and sit on a resilient urethane block. Thus they cut through the insulation but conform around the conductor. Further operation of the handles strips the cut insulation from the conductors. Multiple wires can be stripped in one operation, and different sized wires can be stripped in one operation (should you wish!)
The Pressmaster may work on this principle but it is not clear.
I can't see anything similar by Jokari - the Super4 + looks like the Weidmuller.
The AB can be adjusted for insulation thickness, and also the pressure on the cutters before the withdrawal happens. As you can see - the 'newness' has worn off mine, and the grip on the insulation is very poor due to the wear on the serrated jaws. 40 years of everything from wirewrap wire to 2.5mm2 domestic rewires.
BT

[nanofrog]

I looked at all of the links on the post: Re your links - The Weidmuller appears to have two opposing notched blades.
The Stripax model may be what I'm looking for.
 The AB system uses two opposing straight 'blades' that actually consist of about 35 separate 'teeth' on each. These are pivoted at the back end and sit on a resilient urethane block. Thus they cut through the insulation but conform around the conductor. Further operation of the handles strips the cut insulation from the conductors. Multiple wires can be stripped in one operation, and different sized wires can be stripped in one operation (should you wish!)

The Stripaxe works the same way (multiple blades stacked on one another, so they can form around the wire to allow it to strip multi-conductor flat cable, such as 2 wire lamp cord). Watch the specific models for desired range of wire size, but the Stripaxe 16 is the most general purpose in this regard IIRC.

The Pressmaster may work on this principle but it is not clear.

I own these, and they are a bit different regarding the blades.

They offer 3 different cartridges for them.

• Black - (standard cartridge & most commonly used), contains a pair of solid, straight blades for soft insulation types, such as PVC. They will strip multi-conductor flat wire, such as lamp cord.
• Blue - is designed for hard insulations such as Teflon (use a pair of V shaped blades).
• Red - cartridge meant for larger gauge wire (use a pair of O shaped blades).

They, like the others linked, have an adjustment for insulation thickness. I've also found it useful for insulation that's hardened over time such as automotive wiring harness repairs.

I've never tried to strip wires of different sizes simultaneously before, but wouldn't expect it to do that well, if at all due to the solid blade construction.

Overall, they're quite nice. Comfortable and light weight, which is nice if you need to do a lot of wire. Not perfect though (have had issues with old insulation coming off cleanly; new usually strips right off), and I usually have to run some test strips until I get the insulation depth adjustment set correctly for an unknown spool of wire. Not that big a deal though, and I don't waste that much wire to get it set (familiarity working in my favor).

I can't see anything similar by Jokari

Their blades are like the Pressmaster (most nest-less automatics of this basic type are IME; flat or V shaped blades).

As you can see - the 'newness' has worn off mine, and the grip on the insulation is very poor due to the wear on the serrated jaws. 40 years of everything from wirewrap wire to 2.5mm2 domestic rewires.

They've served you well to last that long. 

Given the history of reliability + performance your existing pair have given you, it might be worth it to try and locate a new pair. 

Hope all of this helps. 

[quarks]

The Stripax model may be what I'm looking for.
 The AB system uses two opposing straight 'blades' that actually consist of about 35 separate 'teeth' on each.

I also have a stripper like your AB (but I do not remember the brand, because it is not on the tool and already probably 30+ years in use ).
If you need to replace the AB you will most likely be very happy with a Stripax.

[BurningTantalum]

Thanks, Nanofrog & Quarks (and everyone)

I will order a pair of Stripax, I think.
I no longer work professionally, but didn't realise until I thought about it - The two operations that I still perform almost every day are soldering and wire stripping, so I should have the best tools that I can afford. Metcal and Pace perform the first task; I think that I had become a bit obsessed with the AB strippers because I have never owned any other - I wanted a new one the same ! A bit like the first girlfriend syndrome (I made that up...)
It was a wrench to toss out 4 old Weller TCP1 units a while ago as they too dated from my first employment, even though they were an utter PITA to maintain.
Regards,  BT

[nanofrog]

Found a post in another thread that has close-up photos of a Stripaxe blade cartridge. 

Wire strippers thread.

If you find yourself doing a fair bit of Teflon or other hard insulations, the Embla should be more economical choice (just swap in the blue cartridge, ~$30 here in the US). Cheaper than a separate tool at any rate, and it does an excellent job of it as well.